Public urged to contact GP over serious health concerns

PEOPLE who are suffering from what they believe are symptoms relating to serious medical conditions other than the coronavirus are being urged to still make contact immediately with their GP.

The call comes as health professionals and charities have expressed concern at the dramatic drop in the number of referrals for conditions, including heart attacks, strokes and different types of cancers.

At the weekend cancer charities launched a campaign to encourage people to be aware of what they described as the ‘forgotten C’ as the lockdown and restrictions imposed to combat Covid-19 continue.

Speaking to the Tyrone Herald, Dr Josephine Deehan, GP based at the Omagh Primary Care Complex, said that medical professions are fearful people with serious conditions are failing to go to hospital or seek medical advice as they do not want to leave the house.

“That would be counter-productive and people should still be looking out for themselves and seeking medial advice if they need,” she urged.

“I think people have been managing minor ailments themselves and that is not always easy particularly with parents with young babies and families.

“Doctors have tried where possible not to bring patients into the facility. We have patients who have symptoms of possible Covid-19 who are assessed in the special centres based in A&E at the South West Acute Hospital.

“This means that there is separation of those with Covid-19 symptoms and other patients who have just general illnesses.”

Dr Deehan acknowledged that hospitals and all health care facilities are quieter due to the suspension of routine appointments and clinics.

She added that this situation was a ‘very strange one’ for doctors and staff.

“It is reassuring for the patient and the doctor too when we can physically see and examine the patient, but when doing it over the telephone or a video consultation, there is an element of insecurity which is stressful,” she said.

“This is a strange way of working and we do not like it, but we have to do our best.”